The already-ensemble cast of Rajinikanth-starrer Dharman has just gotten bigger! Apart from the superstar, the action thriller features Ram Pothineni and Raashii Khanna in significant roles. Sreeleela happens to be the latest addition to the film’s cast. The actress has reportedly joined the film’s shoot in Mysuru on Wednesday.

Sreeleela signs back-to-back films

Sreeleela has established herself as one of the fastest-rising stars in South cinema. Known for her gracious dance moves and infectious screen presence, she had taken it easy lately when it came to signing films. However, the actress seems to be back in the reckoning with back-to-back Tamil films. After signing Dhanush’s OM, she has bagged the Rajinikanth-starrer Dharman.

The actress has rapidly built an impressive filmography by starring alongside several superstars in Tollywood. By signing Hindi films, she has transformed from a regional talent into one of the most talked-about young starlets. Her youthful appeal stems from her vibrant screen presence, exceptional dance skills and relatable charm.

The director of Dharman is believed to have felt that her casting in the film would add a layer of spunk and instantly connect with Gen Z and millennials. A source close to the production house informs, “When Sreeleela was approached to be part of a Rajinikanth-starrer, she didn’t think much before coming on board. The actress felt it was an opportunity that she couldn’t resist.”

Rajinikanth as deadly doctor

Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by Kamal Haasan, Dharman is one of the most-awaited films. Ashwath has described the film as a blend of the larger-than-life, high-attitude commercial appeal of Padayappa and the investigative edge of Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu.

The first-look poster depicts Rajinikanth in blue medical scrubs, holding a bloody scalpel over a defeated rowdy and presenting a ‘deadly doctor’ persona. The superstar’s role as a senior medical faculty member and a doctor who takes on criminals has garnered significant attention. According to sources, Dharman features an intense face-off and a family-oriented conflict involving a father-in-law and son-in-law dynamic.

Also Read: Raashii Khanna Calls Rajinikanth Her ‘buddy’; Says He Has ‘a Great Sense of Humour’

Nani’s latest release, The Paradise, has reached a significant box office milestone in terms of collections. The Srikanth Odela directorial netted Rs 4.40 crore on its sixth day (Tuesday), taking the film’s total India net collections to Rs 101.50 crore.

The Paradise worldwide box office collections

Although Nani has a long way to go, considering his growing market, crossing Rs 100 crore (net) in India is an important landmark for him personally and for the film. According to box office tracker Sacnilk, The Paradise collected an India net of Rs 4.40 crore across 5,772 shows on its sixth day. This brings the total India gross collections to Rs 120.00 crore and total India net collections to Rs 101.50 crore in six days. Overseas, the film collected Rs 0.50 crore on Day 6, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 30.50 crore. This pushes the total worldwide gross collections to Rs 150.50 crore – another important breakthrough in the film’s box office run.

Telugu belt, major contributor

While the numbers appear striking, given the film’s budget, The Paradise still has quite a distance to travel to post healthy theatrical revenue. On Day 6, the Nani-starrer collected Rs 4.40 crore, representing a 12.0% drop from Monday’s net collection of Rs 5.00 crore. Monday and Tuesday’s significant dip in collections seems to have affected the film’s overall revenue. The Telugu belt continues to be the major contributor to the film’s revenue, with Rs 3.55 crore coming from the region on Day 6.

Nani’s box-office market has experienced significant growth in recent times, with the actor transitioning firmly into the upper echelons of Telugu cinema. After an impressive opening weekend, The Paradise plummeted at the box office on the weekdays, making the going tough for the action thriller. While Nani’s commanding performance is winning accolades, the film has been facing criticism for an unconvincing and chaotic second half, along with excessive, numbing graphic violence.

Also Read: The Paradise Review: Nani’s film has fury and scale, but lacks novelty

Priyanka has spent the past decade building a career across Hindi and international productions, with films including The Matrix Resurrections, Love Again and Heads of State. She was most recently seen in The Bluff, while her upcoming slate includes Varanasi, directed by S. S. Rajamouli, which is currently scheduled for April 2027. This will mark her return to Indian films and also her first Telugu project.

Saif, meanwhile, was last seen in Priyadarshan’s film Haiwaan. He is also set to appear in Hum Hindustani, Rahul Dholakia’s period drama about the making of India’s first democratic election.

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